Art Supplies for O/L and A/L Art: A Student Checklist

O/L and A/L art students need reliable materials for class work, practice and exams. This guide covers the art supplies for O/L and A/L art that students buy most often: papers, pencils, erasers, paints, brushes and boards. Requirements differ between schools and teachers, so always check your teacher’s list and your exam instructions first, and use this as a checklist to fill the gaps.

Good art results come more from practice than from expensive materials. A small, well-chosen kit that you use every day is more useful than a large box of supplies you rarely open. Start with the basics below and add to them as your teacher introduces new techniques.

Art supplies for O/L and A/L: paper

• Drawing paper: Fabriano Accademia is popular for finished drawings, such as A3 240gsm and A3 200gsm. Our Fabriano Accademia paper guide explains the weights.
• Practice paper: lighter sketch or drawing paper for daily practice; see our drawing paper guide.
• Watercolour paper: SeaKing Watercolour Paper 160gsm A3 for colour work and practice washes.

Pencils, erasers and sharpeners

• A range of graphite grades, for example HB, 2B, 4B and 6B. The Graphite Drawing Pencil, Camlin Drawing Pencil and NYONI Drawing Pencil are sold individually, so you can buy just the grades you need. Our pencil grades guide explains them.
• A kneadable eraser such as the Mont Marte Kneadable Eraser, an eraser pen for highlights and a small Mont Marte Artist Eraser.
• A good sharpener, such as the Mont Marte metal sharpeners.

Paints and brushes

• Poster colour: Pentel Poster Colours 12 × 30ml for flat, opaque colour. See our poster paint guide.
• Watercolour: Pentel Watercolour 24 tubes if your syllabus or teacher uses watercolour.
• Brushes: a few round and flat brushes in different sizes, such as the DOMS Studio Round, Flash Round and Flash Flat, sold individually by size.
• Palette: a Mixing Tray with Thumb Hole and two water jars.

Boards, storage and extras

• A firm Drawing Board A3 to keep paper flat, or a Sketch Tote Board with clips for classes and outdoor work.
• A Drawing Tube to carry finished work without folding it.
• An anti-smudge mitten to keep shaded drawings clean. See our guide to stopping smudges.
• Masking tape, a ruler and a pencil case to keep everything together.

Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price. Browse all drawing papers, drawing pencils and paint brushes.

How to prepare for practical work

1. Make a checklist from your teacher’s list and tick items off as you pack.
2. Practise with the same paper and paints you will use for assessments, so there are no surprises.
3. Sharpen pencils and test pens the day before.
4. Pack spares of anything that can run out or break: pencils, an eraser and your most-used colours.
5. Keep finished work flat and dry in a board or tube.

Tips for better results

• Practise drawing from real objects regularly; short daily sessions help most.
• Learn a few basic techniques well, such as shading and colour mixing, rather than buying many materials.
• Label your materials with your name, especially brushes and paint boxes.
• Store paper away from damp; humid weather makes sheets wavy.

Frequently asked questions

Which paper should I use for A/L art?

Many students use Fabriano Accademia A3 for finished drawings and lighter paper for practice. Always follow your teacher’s list.

Do I need expensive paints for O/L art?

No. Reliable student-grade paints are fine for school work. Good paper and brushes often make a bigger difference.

Can I buy pencils individually?

Yes. Several of our drawing pencils are sold by grade, so you only buy the grades you use.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you check your school list against our stock.

More Haanz Art Guides

Still Life Drawing for Beginners: Set Up, Sketch and ShadeRead the guide →Paint Brush Guide: Shapes, Sizes and Which Brushes to Buy FirstRead the guide →Study Stationery for Students: Highlighters, Pens and NotebooksRead the guide →Resin Problems Solved: Bubbles, Sticky, Cloudy and MoreRead the guide →

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